Senior royals join crowds of thousands as VE Day commemorations begin

THOUSANDS of people joined with senior royals in the rain yesterday to observe a military procession to begin commemorations, being held across the UK and beyond, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.

- JOSH PAYNE

Nato allies marched alongside 1,300 members of the UK armed forces for the parade in London, with the words of Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech spoken by actor Timothy Spall instigating events for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The King and Queen were joined in the royal box by Prince William and Princess Kate and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to watch the spectacle.

Members of the Royal Family later made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast.

The Royal Family are scheduled to take part in engagements over the next four days, less than a week after the Duke of Sussex told the BBC his father will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer the King has left.

The King and Queen are "looking forward" to the week's events, and it is understood that, out of respect for the surviving veterans, Buckingham Palace hopes "nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries".

In Whitehall, the Cenotaph was draped in a large Union Flag, with the south and north face of the landmark covered.

It is the first time the war memorial has been draped in Union Flags since it was unveiled by King George V more than a century ago, in 1920.

Crowds started to gather on The Mall yesterday morning, with some arriving the day before to secure a viewing spot. The commemorations will feature displays by the Red Arrows and street parties will take place across the UK.